Wheel-molding apparatus.



Patented Apr. 23, |790I.

.1. G. JOHNSTON. WHEEL MULDING APPARATUS.

4 Sheeis Sheet (Application led July 9 1900.] (nu Modell.)

Patented Apr. 23,*4 190|'.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

.1. s. JOHNSTON. wHl-:n-:L Momma APPARATUS.

(Apphcntxon Bled July 9 1900 m mw uw 2 .ru D. A d nu t n nu t a .DI N. 0 l s. N H 0 .J, GU J. 0.o. l 7, 2 7 6 .m .d

WHEEL HOLDING APPARATUS.

4 Sheets Sheet 3.

@ppliccion me@ July 9, 1900.', (N o M o d el f 05e 0 ZZ. @y 26a/W0 Mgg' ru: Noam: mais co, Pumau'mo.. WASHINGTON. u. c.

No. 672,778.4 Patented Apr. 23, 190|.`

J. G. JoHNsTnN. WHEEL HOLDING APPARATUS.

(Application med .my 9, 190cm 4 Sheets-Shell# 4.

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` 35 together and the wheel formed therein.

t UNITED STATES PATENT' Ormea.

JOSEPH G. JOHNSTON, OFDETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO TI-I AMERICAN` OAR da FOUNDRY COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

WH EEL-MOLDING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 672,778, dated April 23, 19011..

Application filed July 9, 1900.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH G. JOHNSTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Detroit, county Aof"VVayne, State of V5 Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Wheel-Molding Apparatus, of which the following is a fullclear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains Io to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecication, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan View of my improved wheel-molding machine. Fig. 2 is a side ele- 15 vational view of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the drag or nowel pattern. Fig. 4is a sectional view on line 4 4, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the cope-pattern, the matrix skeleton frame and chill-ring being partly zo broken away. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View on line 6 6, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 shows the drag-matrix in position on the nowel side of r'the wheel, the same being illustrated as broken at its middle portion and showing z5 the right and left halves of the same in their relative positions to the pattern, respectively, before and after said drag-matrix has been subjected to pressure, the pattern still being in place. Fig. `8 shows the drag-matrix in 3o proper position-that is, inverted with respect to the positions shownin Figs. 4 and 7- the pattern being withdrawn in Fig. 8. Fig. 9 shows the cope placed in position on the nowel, the two sides of the flask being secured Fig. l0 illustrates the assembled liasks in elevation, showing the manner of securing them together; and Fig. ll is a plan View of the sand-supply spout and its controlling gate or 4o damper employed in carrying out my invention.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in wheel-molding machines, the same heilig designed for use particularly in 45 the formation and manipulation of patterns and molds used in connection with making castings of car-wheels.

The object of my present invention is to provide a machine of the character described 5o for packing the sand around the pattern and Serial No. 22,987. lNo model.)

forming the different molds or matrices, which are afterward pointed up or finished byhand and assembled to receive the molten metal. In this way considerable manual labor is saved in the tamping of the sand around the 55 patterns, in addition to which a drm and uniform matrix is provided, which matrix will yield a good casting.

The invention consists in arranging a turret or turn-table, on which the patterns are placed, said patterns cooperating with the skeleton flasks to receive the sand, a preferably-stationary sweep being pro vided for dis tributing sand evenly and of uniform depth over the pattern and in the spaces of the skeleton iiask. Where such a flask is used, means are provided to lift the pattern and simultaneousl y rotate the same under said stationary sweep. A hydraulic or other press coperates with the pattern to compress the sand therebetween, thus fixing the impression and rendering the mold firm, so that it may be handled without fear of its being broken.

In the drawings, A indicates a turn-table, to the under side of the periphery of which is secured a circular rack a, designed to mesh with a driving-pinion, (not shown,) whereby said table may be rotated. This table is supported on a suitable stand B.

O and C' indicate girders arranged above and below the table, their inner ends heilig received by suitable yokes, which are connected together through the medium ot' the pivot-rod cfor the table, while corresponding yokes coperate with the outer ends o`f said girders and are connected by vertical rods c' or posts, as shown. This structure forms a strong frame, within which is included a hydraulic or other press, comprising a cylinder D, supported by girders O, whose ram d is designed to pass through an opening in the turn-table A and compress the sand between one of the patterns carried by said turn-table and a dead-plate E, carried by the girders C. Suitable pipe connections provided with throttle or controlling valves lead from soinesuitable source of hydraulic-pump compressedair or steam supply, whereby the ram may be raised or lowered, as desired.

F indicates a counter-shaft on which are IDO kwhich piston-rod is connected to a plunger arranged in cylinder H. The miter-gear of shaft G is mounted on a key or feather, so as to permit the vertical movement of said shaft without disturbing the mesh of said gear with its driver. 'lhe upper end of shaft G carries a plate I, on whose upper face are arranged two or more centering pins or projections t', designed tovbe received by a'pattern K or O when said plate is elevated for the purpose of centering said pattern and when said plate 4is rotated ,to carry said pattern with it. The wheel-patterns K and O are each ,provided with a 'central boss or panel K O', respectively, which yfits into an openingin the turntable A for definitely locating said patterns with respect to the table. Suitable pipe connectionslead from some source ofcom pressedair or steam supply and `are controlled by valves for admitting pressure beneath or above the plunger in cylinder H for accomvplishing the vertical -movement thereof and its connected plate I. As the plunger in the Vcylinder is usually packed, I prefer to so construct the parts that the plate I may be rotated while the plunger and its piston-rod remain stationary. This can be accomplished by providing the lower endof shaft Gwith an opening or socketfor receiving the piston-rod hand slidingly mounting the ruiter-gear g on this shaft G.

Referringnow to Fig. 4, it will be seen that plate I has been elevated so as to lift thepattern from `the table, which pattern, we will mention incidentally, is here shownasa drag, and when the pattern is so velevated and rotated it occupies-a position under a fixed or stationary sweep J. This sweep is Apreferably secured to a sand-supply spout J', which is provided with a segmentalopening closed bya gatej, pivoted at the junction of the converging lines thereof, said gate having a ra-.

dial opening edge `to perm-rit the proper vol.- ulneof sand to fall onto the pattern.

discharge a proper quantity of sand onto said pattern, which sand is immediately spread out and distributed uniformly over the pattern by the sweep J. The proper quantity' of sand havingbeen placed on the pattern and distributed, as above described, the surplus-` age is removed,the pattern arrested,and again deposited on the turn-table.

`By reference to Fig. l it Will be seen that the turn-table isprovided with four openings,

and therefore carries four patterns practically at all times. After passing from the rotating plate I the pattern, covered by sand,

Vvreceives the flask and istready to be operated Vihen` the pattern -is rotated, the gate is opened to events pattern has been properly 'manipulated and the turn-table again operated so as to be rotated one-fourth of a revolution, the second pattern is in readiness to receive its flask and the first pattern is placed in position over the ram of' the press. Pressure is nowadmitted under `the plunger of' cylinder D and the pattern elevated until its flask is brought into contact with the dead-plate E, when the sand between the pattern and the flask is subjected to sufficient pressure to make a firm mold.

The ram is now permitted to descend and the l pattern is again supported upon the turn-table A. During this pressing operation the thirdpattern has received its sand and the second pattern `has received its flask. v'Ivhe `third movement of the table carries the first patternwith its compressed sand and flask, away from theram andplaces the secondpattern, with its fiask,'in position to be subjected to pressure, the third pattern in position to receive its liask, and the fourthpattern in position to receive its sand. All the patterns operated upon are provided with suitable tru nnions,vasarealso their coperatin g flasks. Thepattern which we have designated the first pattern and its flask with the sand lcom pressed between them are nowclamped together-and lifted from thetable bya suitable bail (not shown,but which ispreferably operated by an air-hoist) and when suspended in the airis turned in itsbail so that the flask will be underneath. Theask is now deposited on a suitable arrangement for supporting the mold from the pattern, andthe pattern when so separatedis replaced in the opening in the turn-table A. which it recently vacated. i y i The `above description applies to the drag side of the mold, and while I have described a turn-table provided with four openings, attribu ting four different operations to as many different positions of the table, it is obvious that `the turn-table could have a greater number of openings, in which event there would be given a longer time between the pressing and resanding operations. For instance, were the turn-table provided with five openings the sanding operation would be succeeded by the placing in position of the flask at the first interval of' rest. The second interval of rest would be consumed by the pressing operation and the third and fourth intervals in the removal and separation of the pattern from its flask and the replacement in position of the pattern, theV fifth interval bel, ing occupied by the resanding operation.

I will `now describe the novel details of construction of my improved patterns, both drag IOO IIO

designed to bear upon the turn-table.

is, which makeimpressions for the strengthching-braces ofthe wheel. 71; indicates a removable core-print. This core-print is removablein the sense that diiferent-sized cores are used with the same pattern, the change in the size of the prints being made as occasion demands. While in use the print is firmly secured to the pattern and has a suiiicient draft to enable it to be lifted out of the sand with the pattern. These remarks apply also to core-print cope-patterns. The above is the usual method and may be followed; but I prefer in order to save time in setting the core so that it will bein exact position in its relation to other parts of the mold that a core-print a: be made in the drag-pattern to admit of the axle-core being placed therein. Bushings may be employed to enlarge'or reduce the diameter of the opening, so that various size cores may be used. The core when in place will project above the pattern, so that when the mold is pressed and turned over the core, being of proper length and firmly seated in the mold, will render a print on the cope side of the mold unnecessary. The pattern is surrounded by a circumferential flange k2 for containing the sand. las indicates webs on the under side of the face-plate and attached to the bottom wall 104, which bottom Wall is connected by a circumferential ange to the face-plate. A su pporting-[iange 705 eX- tends horizontally from the face-plate and is provided with a finished rib at its inner edge,

Radially-arranged strengthening-webs Vsupport the face-plate above this flange for the purpose of giving strength to the same, While the pattern-ribs k also strengthen the pattern. This construction makes a very rigid pattern and one Well able to resist the strain to which it is subjected when in the press.

As shown in Fig. 4, the stationary sweepJ surfaces the loose sand to correspond with the contour of the face-plate of the pattern, and when the pattern is swung around by the turn-table from its position over the rotary plate I a ask or backing L is loosely placed in position on the surfaced sand. This flask or backing-plate is shown in Fig. 7 and consists of a circumferential ange Z, Whose inner edge is beveled or formed knifelike and of such diameter as tofit Within the circumferential fiange ot' the pattern K. The supporting-plate Z is shaped to the contour of the sand over which it is placed, said plate being preferably provided with perforations to permit the gas which is formed by the meeting of t-he molten metal `and the sand to readily escape. The plate is further strengthcned by skeleton Webs or braces, which are both radiallyand concentrically arranged, as shown at the bottom of Fig. l. After this flask is placed in position, the knife-edges titting within thecircumferential flange of the pattern, the pattern is placed upon the ram of the press, which elevates it and its carried parts until the flask comes in contact with the dead-plate.. The circumferential flange and the strengthening-ribs of the ask rest on a horizontal plane, so as to distribute the stress in compressing the sand evenly throughout the Whole structure, and this compressive action is carried on until arrested by the iiange of the fiask contacting with the face-plate of the pattern. (See right-hand side of Fig. 7.) Of course the proper quantity of sand is introduced, so that when the iiask and pattern are forced together to this extent the sand is compressed to the desired degree of firmness. Both the pattern and the flask are provided with trunnions Maud Z3, respectively, for coperating with the bail of an air-hoist. Lugs or ears may be provided on the flask and pattern, whereby the same may be secured together when under pressure to prevent displacement of either' of said parts during the act of inverting them to get the iiask on the under side and make accessible the pattern for purposes of\withdrawal. Lugs or ears leg, Fig. 3, preferably have fixed doWel-pins, which enter holes in corresponding lugs or ears on the drag L. (See Fig. l0.) When the mold is being pressed, the pins center the iiask, and when the pattern and flask are clamped together the pins keep them in position while being turned over.

As shown in Fig. 9, the chill rests upon the knife-edge of the iask L, and thus makes a parting at the crown of the wheel-flange, the chillring, Which I have marked M, being coeXtensive with the throat and tread of the wheel. This chill-ring is provided with trunnions fm, by which the same may be handledY by the bail or hoist, and is also provided with lugs or ears 'm/ for receiving securing-clamps for attachment to the fiask L.

N indicates a skeleton flask which is bolted or otherwise secured to the chill-ring, said fiask, as shown in Figs. 5 and being of skeleton form and having the inner edges of its conr o centric and radial ribs beveled or formed with knife-edges to enable the sand to pack therebeneath. The skeleton cope-flask is so made that it conforms to the contour of the pattern both as to the sharp edges of the bars next the pattern and the edges next the dead or backing plate.

In operation the cope and chill', as they are called, being secured together are placed over a pattern O, which pattern shapes the mold of the cope for the face of the wheel. This pattern consists of a face-plate o, prop-1 erly shaped,in the center of which is arranged aremovable core-print o. The face-plate is strengthened on its lower side by suitable strengthening webs or ribs o2 and has a bottom plate 03, forming a reduced portion, litting in the opening of the turn-table A., said bottom plate being perforated for the centering-lugs of the rotary plate I.

04 indicates spring-seats projecting laterally fromthe pattern, fonrofsuch seats being preferably arranged equidistantly around the pattern. Springs o5 are arranged in these seats IOO ` be perfect.

--pattern.

and sustain an inverted cup or cap-piece o6, serving asa follower and guide, and also supporting the Achillring M. Bolts o", passing through the cap-piece and spring-seat, hold the spring under compression and limit `the upward movement of the caps. The chill rests 'upon the spring-caps, and the bolts are used `to adjust the springs to aiuniform height,

rso that the bars of the copewill at all points be uniformly distant from the pattern, the springs being of sufficient strength to support the chill-ring, skeleton cope, and sand without being further compressed. In addition to the springs' the cope-pattern is provided with two lugs or ears, and in these are fixed pins which enter holes in the lugs m on the chill-ring, as shown in Fig. l0. The fixed pins inthe lugs ou4 the cope and drag patterns have corresponding centers, so that when the two parts are brought together the mold will The cope-pattern is further provided with stops which meet the face of the chill-ring when the mold is being pressed, making a uniform distance of travel for the pattern in its upward motion.

In operation, the pattern being in position on the turn-table, the cope and chill are arranged thereon,*their weight being supported by the springs. vThe'springs are adjusted so that they support the combined weight of skeleton flask, chill-ring, and sand without further compression, so that the skeleton liask occupies a denite position above 4the pattern. The table now makes a one-quarter turn and the pattern, with flask, is elevated to receive the sand,'which is distributed uni-` formly over the pattern by asweep conforming to the shape of the pattern. This operation is substantially the same as that described with reference to the distribution of sand on the drag side. When the pattern,

with the chill-ring and cope and with the tion over the press, the ram will raise the pattern, chill-ring, cope, and sand, which latter are solely supported by the springs on the The outer ring of the skeleton copeiiask is fixed on `both sides, so as to make uniform molds. In the upward movement of the pattern and its carried flask the latter contacts with the dead-plate E, the springs are compressed, and the pattern forces the sand upward against the beveled edges of the bars in the cope and against the backingplate,thus making a perfect mold. Upon the pressure being released the pattern travels downward and the compression of 'the springs is utilized to separate the pattern from the sand, while the combined flask and patternl settle downwardly until they rest upon the table. The table now makes one quarter-turn, and by a suitable bail the chill- Vring and skeleton `fiask, with the sand compressed therein, is lifted from the table, and when pointed up, if such be necessary, and blacking put on, is ready to place over the 4corresponding drag side of the mold. This starr/ -of the mold has been removed from the table,

inverted, and the pattern drawn, the mold is pointed up, if necessary, and blacking put aon, and theconce'ntric core U is placed in position to form a concentric opening around the hub of the wheel. Theconcentric cores have projections or feetu on the under side, which rest in corresponding depressions in the mold formed by prints on the pattern when the mold is being'pressed. The core is prevented from rising or floating by chaplets u', placed in the ordinary manner The axle-core V is then placed in position, if not already in position, having been rammedvup inthe mold. Thecasting isy represent-.ed atl W in Fig. 9. The two parts of the mold, which are known as the cope and drag,7 being complete, the cope is placed overfthe vdrag and the two clamped together and are Ikept in relative position' by loose closely-fitting pins passing through the corresponding lugs on the chill-ring and drag-flask. A bowl or pouring-head is yplaced over the gates in the usual manner, and the mold is ready to receive the `molten metal.

While I have seen fit to describe l.to an extent the construction of the drag-pattern and iiask and the cope-pattern and flask in this application for the purpose of rendering the operation of my improved machine more comprehensive, I make no claim herein to these constructions, as theyfare subjects-matter of separate applications iiled by me December 13, 1900, and serially numbered 39,693 and 39,691, respectively.

I am aware that minor changes in the arrangement, construction, and combination of the several parts of my device can be made and substituted for those herein shown and f IOO IIC

described without in the least departing from said pattern when the same is being rotated;

substantially as described.

'2. In a molding-machine, the combination with a turn-table carrying aplurality of patterns, of a rotatable plate designed to register with-any one of the plurality-of patterns carried by said turn-table by the proper manipulation of the latter, means for moving said rotatable plate vertically to lift one of said Il ,m v f patterns from said turn-table, means for rotating said rotatable plate and pattern in ltheir elevated position, and a sweep for giving shape to the sand which is contained in said patterns; substantially as described.

3. The combination with a turn-table provided with openings, of patterns seated in said openings, a rotatable plate arranged under the table, and with which the patterns register in their revolution, means for elevating said plate to lift a pattern from the table, mechanism for rotating the elevated plate and its carried pattern, and a stationary sweep for giving shape to the sand on the pattern; substantially as described.

4. The combination with a turn-table providedwith openings, oi patterns seated in said openings, a rotatable plate so arranged as to register with said patterns at a point in their revolution with said turn-table, means for lifting and rotating said rotatable plate and its carried pattern, a sweep for giving shape to the sand carried in said pattern, a

ask carried by said pattern and designed to rest upon the sand contained in said pattern,

said pattern and flask; substantially as described.

5. The combination with a turn-table provided with openings, of patterns arranged on said turn-table over said openings, flasks on the patterns, girders above and below the turn-table, posts connecting said girders, a cylinder on the lower girders, a piston in the cylinder, a ram carried by said piston which is designed to pass through the openings in the table, and a dead-plate arranged under the upper girders, whereby, when the piston and its carried ram is caused to ascend, the ram engages the pattern by passing through the opening in the table, and lifts said pattern and its carried Iiask, forcing the flask against the dead-plate; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses, this 29th day of June, 1900.

JOSEPH G. JOHNSTON.

' Witnesses:

A. F. ANNESLEY, R. N. BAKER. 

